Greening Taupo

What is Greening Taupō?

The concept for Greening Taupō arose as a result of the vision of and discussions between Project Tongariro, the Department of Conservation and Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary who believed that a collaborative organisation could take conservation to the next level in the Taupō community. The goal is to replicate the intensive conservation work occurring within the Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary into the surrounding community.

The Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary built a predator proof fence around the sanctuary, encompassing approximately 180 hectares, to create a unique experience where golfers can experience New Zealand’s wildlife. Inside the sanctuary, with the exception of mice, all mammalian pests were eradicated in 2010. The Sanctuary is undertaking extensive indigenous forest restoration to enhance habitat for native birds, which already have increased in abundance and are spreading out into the surrounding area. The Sanctuary also has plans to reintroduce suitable species and is already being used as a kiwi crèche — growing juvenile kiwi that normally would be killed by introduced predators to a relative safe size before being released back into kiwi sanctuaries. The Sanctuary has plans to re-establish more threatened species that area capable of living within the area, such as the kakariki (NZ parakeet).

﻿

Living Legends volunteers and King Country Rugby Legend Sir Colin Meads have now planted a total of 11,500 native trees at Whakaipo Bay Recreation Reserve near Taupo. 5000 were planted during Rugby World Cup in 2011 and a further 3000 planted at the 2012 event and 3500 at the 2013 event. This year Greening Taupo is partnering with the Department of Conservation to continue this planting. We would love you to join us and continue this tradition

The objective of Greening Taupō is to improve the Taupō environment for people and native wildlife. This involves undertaking restoration planting and pest control to create ecological corridors to allow the number of native birds to flourish. Particular attention will be focused on access routes in and out of Taupō that will help create a sense of arrival for visitors to Taupō.

With collaboration from the community, Greening Taupō can create a sustainable future for our environment for generations to enjoy.